Ultimate Guide to Hoan Kiem Lake Hanoi 2022

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 1/8/2026

Content

Exploring the history behind the name Hoan Kiem Lake.

Which season is the most beautiful at Hoan Kiem Lake?

Fastest ways to get to Hoan Kiem Lake

What's exciting about visiting Hoan Kiem Lake? Which attractions should you explore?

Wondering what to eat at Hoan Kiem Lake?

Recommendations for reputable hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake

Apricot Hotel Hanoi

The Chi Boutique Hotel

Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel

HanVet Hotel Hanoi

Some Tips When Visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

Conclusion

Known as the Heart of Hanoi, Hoan Kiem Lake is a symbol of the capital city. @shutterstock

Exploring the history behind the name Hoan Kiem Lake.

The name Hoan Kiem Lake is closely tied to the legendary tale of the magic sword. In the early 15th century, during the Ming invasion of our land, King Le Thai To, wielding the celestial sword Thuan Thien, united the people to defeat the enemy forces. Thuan Thien was the very sword lent to the king by the Dragon King to fight the invaders.

Hoan Kiem Lake is steeped in many famous historical legends. @shutterstock

After ascending to the throne in 1428, King Le Thai To was once boating on Tả Vọng Lake when suddenly a Golden Turtle emerged and demanded the king to return the divine sword to the Dragon King. After returning the sword, the Golden Turtle grasped it and disappeared beneath the waters. And thus, the name Hoan Kiem Lake or Sword Lake was born!

Which season is the most beautiful at Hoan Kiem Lake?

Hoan Kiem Lake

Autumn is the ideal time to visit Hanoi. @shutterstock

Fastest ways to get to Hoan Kiem Lake

Hoan Kiem Lake

By Bus: You can take various bus routes such as 08, 04, 09, 40, 23, 31, 18, 14, 11, 36, 34 to reach Hoan Kiem Lake. Among them, routes 09 and 14 have parking areas very close to Hoan Kiem Lake, making it convenient.

There are numerous bus routes in Hanoi that go to Hoan Kiem Lake. @shutterstock

Taxi Ride:

Exploring by Motorbike:

For travelers coming from Ho Chi Minh City or even farther provinces, taking a flight is the quickest way to reach Hanoi. You can book your Hanoi flight tickets on Mytour for the best deals!

What's exciting about visiting Hoan Kiem Lake? Which attractions should you explore?

Hoan Kiem Lake:

Turtle Tower: Constructed from 1884 - 1886 on Turtle Island situated in Hoan Kiem Lake. From afar, you can see the tower with its rectangular structure of three floors. The East and West sides of the tower feature three winding doors, while the North and South sides have two pointed arch doors. The first and second floors also have balconies adorned with four curved swords pointing towards the peak.

Turtle Tower. @shutterstock

Ngoc Son Temple:

Ngoc Son Temple. @shutterstock

The Huc Bridge:

The Huc Bridge. @shutterstock

Le King's Shrine:

Ba Kieu Temple: Situated in the northeast of Hoan Kiem Lake, this temple worships three goddesses: Princess Lieu Hanh, Second Jade Lady, and Third Jade Lady.

Ba Kieu Temple. @shutterstock

Hoa Phong Tower:

Hanoi Pedestrian Street: A highly attractive entertainment area for young people, offering a wide variety of delicious food and affordable drinks. Additionally, there are numerous exciting games and activities to participate in! Note that Hanoi Pedestrian Street around Hoan Kiem Lake is only active on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Hanoi Pedestrian Street is bustling and vibrant. @shutterstock

Trang Tien Plaza: This upscale shopping area is located right next to Hoan Kiem Lake, where visitors can shop and dine leisurely.

Wondering what to eat at Hoan Kiem Lake?

Bun Cha: This is definitely a must-try dish when visiting Hanoi! At Hoan Kiem Lake, you can easily find many high-quality bun cha stalls. The taste of Hanoi bun cha will surely leave a lasting impression on every traveler.

Hanoi Bun Cha. @Shutterstock

Bun dau:

Bun thang:

Hanoi Bun Thang. @Collection

Lotus Stem Salad:

Trang Tien Ice Cream:

Trang Tien Ice Cream. @mia-kardillaMytour

Don't forget to check out Mytour's list of delicious dishes in Hanoi to find your favorite!

Recommendations for reputable hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake

Here are some hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake and in Hanoi where you can stay:

Apricot Hotel Hanoi

Apricot Hotel Hanoi

Apricot Hotel Hanoi. @apricothotels.com

Address: 136 Hang Trong, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

The Chi Boutique Hotel

The Chi Boutique Hotel

The Chi Boutique Hotel. @Collection

Address: 13 Nha Chung Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Hanoi Pearl Hotel. @Collection

Address: 6 Ngo Bao Khanh Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel

Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel: Located just 281m from Hoan Kiem Lake, it's ideal for your travels. Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel offers all the elements of a top-notch accommodation with modern, clean rooms and excellent amenities.

Golden Lotus Luxury Hotel. @Collection

Address: 53-55 Hang Trong Street, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

HanVet Hotel Hanoi

HanVet Hotel Hanoi

HanVet Hotel Hanoi. @Collection

Address: 5 Huyen Alley, Hang Trong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi

Some hotel categories here that you shouldn't miss include:

5-star hotels in Hanoi4-star Hotels in Hanoi3-star Hotels in Hanoi5-star Hotels in Hanoi with Meeting Rooms

Some Tips When Visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi

It's advisable to book hotels, guesthouses in Hanoi several weeks to a month in advance when traveling, to avoid room shortages during peak season.If visiting Hoan Kiem Lake in the late months of the year, it's best to prepare warm clothing in advance.

Hoan Kiem Lake

It's recommended to carry only a small amount of cash for shopping and dining. Remember to bring your ATM card for convenient payments or to withdraw more cash if needed.Before making a purchase, it's wise to inquire about the price first to avoid being overcharged.The streets of Hanoi are quite crowded and complex. If you're not familiar with the routes, it's best to take a taxi or motorbike taxi.If you're shopping early in the morning in Hanoi, it's best not to negotiate prices.

You can check out Mytour's 3-day 2-night Hanoi travel experience to get a clear itinerary for your enjoyment here.

Conclusion

So we've covered everything from A to Z about the Hoan Kiem Lake travel experience! How do you find Hoan Kiem Lake? It's so enticing for a trip, isn't it! So why wait? Let's 'explore' right away.

See also:

Embrace a unique yet familiar Hanoi from the iconic Long Bien BridgeExploring Hanoi in just 24 hours? Easy peasy!

Information about Hoan Kiem Lake

About the history of the name Hoan Kiem Lake

When is the best time to visit Hoan Kiem Lake?

Fastest ways to get to Hoan Kiem Lake

What is fun about visiting Hoan Kiem Lake? Where to visit?

What to eat when visiting Hoan Kiem Lake?

Recommended hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake

Apricot Hotel Hanoi

The Chi Boutique Hotel

Hanoi Pearl Hotel